In the year since Tony Flowers launched Liberty Trading, a coin and precious metal shop in downtown Vandalia, he’s heard the complaint one too many times.
“There’s nothing in downtown Vandalia,” the naysayers insist.
Well, Flowers is doing something about it. Along with his son, Sam, and son-in-law, Sean, he is preparing to launch five new businesses on Gallatin Street.

Greg Starnes, chief executive officer of Fayette County Hospital and Long Term Care, announced recently that the hospital has begun raising funds to purchase a new digital mammography machine for the hospital.
The hospital hopes to raise $300,000 through a fundraising campaign titled, "Keep Abreast; Go Digital!"

Chamber seeking part-time position
The Vandalia Chamber of Commerce is seeking a person to work eight hours per week as a communications coordinator.
According to chamber president Dana Whiteman, the main functions of the position will be to publish the organization’s newly launched newsletter and to maintain ongoing communications among chamber members.
Deadline for submitting resumés for the position is June 17. Applications should be sent to Whiteman at dwhiteman3@att.net.

David and Ruth Stone are the new owners of the Culligan Water Conditioning Service in Vandalia.
For the past 15 years, the Stones have operated a power washer sales company in the Vandalia area, and now they’ll move into another area of the water business.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held recently at Regina's Antique Treasures, a new antique and collectables store located at 2525 Veterans Ave., Suite B, in Vandalia. Owned by Regina Brown, the store is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, noon to 5 p.m. Sunday and is closed on Monday. The telephone number is 283-9116.